The Board of Fire Commissioners consists of five elected officials, one of which is elected each year, and serves a five year term. It is the responsibility of these five Commissioners to operate the Fire District in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. To accomplish this task, they employee a Fire District Staff consisting of a District Clerk, a District Treasurer, and three Custodial Engineers whos job it is to see to the day to day operation of the Fire District. The Board of Fire Commissioners (BOFC) meet on a monthly basis, the second wednesday of each month, to oversee the operation of the Fire District and to make policies and procedures under which the Fire District, the Fire Department, and the three Fire and/or Rescue Companies operate.They are also charged with the responsibility of providing the necessary apparatus, buildings and equipment needed to assist the Fire Department in the Fire and Rescue activities that are essential for the protection of life and property in the boundries of the Fire District. To accomplish this task, they are empowered to raise taxes based on the property values of the fire district in order to supply the funds that are needed. While the Budget of the Fire District is not voted on by the voters in the District, the BOFC are mandated to follow a strict formula in preparing the budget in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This process includes a spending limitation. The position of Commissioner is an unpaid, elected , five year term of office and in the Copiague Fire District, the BOFC are made up as follows:
CHAIRMAN: Usually the Commissioner in the last year of his / her five year term. He is in charge of the day to day decisions requiring BOFC approval and is reported to by the District Administrator and District Clerk in between the monthly board meetings. His position is established by a vote of the BOFC at the Organizational Meeting in January of each year.
